City of Dreams Manila holds “A Walk to Save the Earth” and other activities for Earth Hour 2019

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City of Dreams Manila in partnership with Bantay Kalikasan, ABS- CBN Lingkod Kapamilya Foundation Inc.’s environmental arm, is taking part in the global annual Earth Hour on March 30 through a program dubbed “A Walk to Save the Earth.” 

More than the ceremonial one-hour lights-out activity, the event to be held at the luxury resort’s main casino entrance, highlights both proponents’ pledge for environmental protection and a sustainable future through practicing eco-efficient operations.

The resort’s Sustainability Ambassadors are leading the event with the participation of around 200 employee-volunteers of City of Dreams Manila and a contingent from Bantay Kalikasan for the symbolic walk at 8 p.m. around the property -- representing the two institutions’ solidarity towards Earth Hour’s goal of uniting people to take action on various environmental issues.

The symbolic walk is followed by the observance of the ceremonial switch off from 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., simultaneous with other countries. The resort will be turning off the lights of its dome dubbed the Fortune Egg — City of Dreams’ and the Manila Bay area’s iconic landmark. The program then culminates with a set of compelling song and dance performances dedicated for the environment from the resort’s talented employees. 

Other activities also include writing of personal pledges for a greener planet on a “Commitment Wall.” Moreover, to draw further engagement towards this cause, City of Dreams Manila encourages its guests to be part of this global environmental campaign by turning off the lights in their rooms, and join other guests in the resort’s dining outlets and public areas for the one-hour duration.

“City of Dreams Manila, together with Bantay Kalikasan, joins the many countries around the world in the Earth Hour to spark conversation and take action to help protect the environment and curb climate change. Together with the strong support of our more than 5,000 employees as led by our Sustainability Ambassadors, we pledge our commitment in conserving and being good stewards of the environment as well as in continuing to set the bar for a greener hospitality and entertainment industry in the country,” Kevin Benning, City of Dreams Manila Chief Operating Officer said.

An initiative of the World Wide Fund (WWF), Earth Hour started as a symbolic lights out event in Sydney back in 2007. Over the years, it has grown to become a global grassroots movement for the environment that inspired individuals, communities, governments, businesses, and organizations to take tangible action to address pressing environmental issues. In 2018, earthhour.org recorded a total of 188 countries and territories that have participated in Earth Hour. This year, with the theme “#Connect2Earth,” it encourages millions of people to speak up about why nature matters. 

Sustainability at City of Dreams Manila

This year’s participation of City of Dreams Manila in Earth Hour is one of the many sustainability undertakings of the luxury resort to achieve its goals of enhancing eco-efficient operations.

To date, City of Dreams Manila has spearheaded various sustainable initiatives within the property under the program dubbed “Sustainable Dreams,” which implements the resort’s long-term sustainability program.

Among these are: a vermicomposting facility and greenhouse nursery on property; a holistic and sustainable coffee program for which it partners with local coffee farmers, and eliminates wastes by using coffee remains at the vermicomposting area; the use of biodegradable and compostable plates, utensils and take-out bags at The Garage VR Zone and food park; a dynamic employee volunteerism program that also covers coastal clean-up drives along Manila Bay; and mangrove and tree planting activities in Laguna and Cavite.

“There is a growing call to collectively step up for a sustainable future and we, together with the strong support of our employees, our guests, and the communities we partner with, aim to take an even active role to heed this call,” Mr. Benning stated.

For inquiries, call 800-8080 or e-mail guestservices@cod-manila.com or visit www.cityofdreamsmanila.com.

Shell Advance Ambassador Coco Martin's passion for motorcycles

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Coco Martin, the popular actor of long running tv action series “Ang Probinsyano” fame admitted that motorcycles hold a special place in his heart because he grew up riding tricycles.

His acting skill that has earned him local and international recognition, Coco Martin admits that aside from his family and his craft, one thing that gives him pure joy is riding his motorcycle. 

Whenever possible, Coco would be seen riding a motorcycle in his films or in TV dramas.

“Kung mapapansin nyo, lagi akong gumagamit ng motorsiklo pag gumagawa ako ng mga pelikula at soap opera kasi isa yun sa mga trademark ko eh, at isa yun sa mga passion ko kaya pinapakita ko 'to sa mga pelikula,” Coco said.

He started riding at the age of 16 when he worked as a tricycle driver to have money for school. Not one to hide his modest roots, Coco admits that he used to drive his lola’s tricycle at night till the wee hours of the morning so he could have “baon” for school.

“Bata pa lang po ako, ito na ang ikinabubuhay ng aming pamilya. Ang lolo ko ay jeepney driver at ang tatay ko po ay ganun din. Ang lola ko naman ay may tricycle na pamasada. Noong matuto akong mag-motor, ipinasada ko na ang tricycle ng lola ko pangtulong sa pamilya, at pambaon ko sa eskuwela,” Coco proudly shares.

That started his love for motorcycles so much so that when he started earning, initially from doing indie films, his thoughts turned to making the future for his family which was why he bought three tricycles and a brand new jeepney for his father to continue the family business.

His passion for motorcycles

Coco’s passion for motorcycle continued through the years and he is now the proud owner of not one, not two, but 11 motorcycles.

Of the 11 bikes, he has a current favorite which he says provides both comfort and an adrenaline rush. 

He also treasures his very first bike, given to him by no less than actress Dawn Zulueta.

Coco says that whenever he gets the chance, he rides his bike to the countryside to relax his mind from the stress of work. 

“Masarap po sa pakiramdam yung mag-bike ka at magpunta sa mga lugar na tahimik para makapag-relax,” he says.

Being a responsible biker 

Coco admits that he was a reckless driver when he started and has had a few accidents. 

“Bata pa kasi ako nun, so medyo reckless ako magmaneho at sumemplang na din ako ng ilang beses,” he said. 

Over the years, he realized the importance of being a responsible biker by undergoing proper safety training. 

He adds, “Base sa mga kamalian ko noon, naisip ko nga na kailangan mo talagang dumaan sa training, kasi hindi basta-basta ang paggamit ng motor. Maaring sa isang iglap may mangyari sa iyo na hindi maganda, kaya better talaga na mag-training ka, para maiwasan yung mga aksidente.”

Part of being a responsible owner, Coco said, is making sure that your motorcycle is well-maintained and in tip-top condition.

“Syempre, iniingatan ko yung mga motor ko. Unang-una, yung maintenance hindi dapat pinapabayaan. Shell Advance ang lagi kong ginagamit na langis para mapanatili kong malinis at malakas ang makina ng mga motor ko,” Coco said.

That was the reason why it was very easy for Coco to accept the invitation of Shell to become its brand ambassador for Shell Advance. 

“Alam ko kasing mapapagkatiwalaan ng mga nagmo-motor ang Shell Advance dahil ako mismo, ito ang gamit ko. Kaya madali rin para sa akin na i-endorse din ito sa iba pang motorcycle riders para sa maintenance ng kanilang mga motor,” Coco adds.

Shell Advance has a complete range of motorcycle and scooter oils specifically formulated to give complete engine protection so that you can outride anything. Motorcycle enthusiasts like Coco Martin regularly use Shell Advance because it maximizes horsepower, enhances fuel economy, keeps pistons clean, provides superior wear protection and protects against extreme heat. 

Shell Advance has more offer for bikers.  

Shell Advance is one among the many products that form part of Shell’s 105-year legacy of service and quality, all of which aim to make the future for motorists—whether riders of motorcycles and tricycles or drivers of cars and trucks.

For more information, visit www.shell.com.ph

1CISP Holds Manila leg of HR Summit roadshow

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The 1 Cooperative Insurance System of the Philippines Life and General Insurance (1CISP), the largest cooperative insurance organization in the country, recently held the third and last leg of its HR Summit at the Novotel Manila Araneta Center in Quezon City.

With the theme “Third Path HR: Journey to Cooperative HR Enterprise,” the Coop HR Summit Manila leg aims to level up human resource operations in light of prevailing issues in HR and technology affecting local cooperatives today. The first two legs were held in Davao City and Iloilo City.

Although cooperatives in the Philippines have been over-achieving in terms operational and financial performances, they’re rarely seen as employers of choice, particularly among the younger generation of graduates. This is the challenge that 1CISP aims to overcome through this capacity development activity featuring cooperative thought leaders as well human resource experts as speakers and panelists.

Among the guest speakers were Asia Select Inc. (ASI) President and CEO, Gilbert Camasura, ASI Lead Consultant, Jeremiah Bonifacio, Crawford & Company Country Head, Gigi Geronimo, Geiser Maclang Marketing Communications Inc. (GMCI) Chief Innovation Officer and co-founder, Brad Geiser, GMCI HR and Finance Director, Angela Contreras, BPO Executive, Alpha Omega Aquino, SHRM Sr. Certified Professional, Veronica Estrella, and HR and Quality Management Consultant, Alen Esguerra.

1CISP President Roy Miclat, in his keynote address, stressed that cooperatives in the country have been succeeding in their endeavors and have continually contributed to nation-building yet the public remains oblivious due to lack of promotional efforts. “Adults often say to the youth that there is no future in cooperatives, which is not true at all,” Miclat declares. “That’s one way of thinking that we need to change,” he added.

Miclat also revealed that cooperatives are, in fact, the biggest contributor in the communities they serve and oftentimes even earn more than their corporate counterparts. He also said that cooperatives have some of the most competitive compensation and benefit schemes in the industry. The challenge is how to communicate these to encourage everyone to support cooperatives,” he emphasized.

“1CISP, in comparison to corporate insurance counterparts, is growing at a remarkable rate, and believe it or not, this is not an isolated phenomenon. It is a lot more common than previously thought, with a precedent since 2007,” said Miclat, citing the International Cooperative and Mutual Insurance Federation’s (ICMIF) 2018 rankings and industry trends.

Miclat also talked about the need to adapt in an ever-changing technological environment. “Disruption in technology is happening in an unprecedented rate and if the cooperatives will not adapt, they will be extinct,” he stressed. "Our aim for 2019 and beyond is to elevate cooperatives and make them known for what they really are--an important pillar in economic and social development," Miclat added.

Miclat also announced during the event its biggest project thus far, The Koop Leaders Academy - a nationwide training program for young cooperative professionals. 

1Koop Leaders Academy is done in partnership with Asia Select Inc., one of the country's leading human resource companies, and aims to train young minds and build strong foundations in business, tech up their knowledge and skills, and become effective and principle-centered cooperative leaders. The program will have expert HR and marketing professionals as trainers and special lecturers.

"Aside from the 1Koop Leaders Academy, we also have two other projects—Coop Kicks, the first-ever cooperative pitch fest in which young innovators and aspiring entrepreneurs are given opportunities to pitch their ideas on cooperative ventures, and 1KoopMart, the country’s first-ever cooperative sari-sari store chain,” Miclat shares. “But these three projects represent only the beginning of more things to come for 1CISP and its partner cooperatives," he added.

1CISP is the leading insurance cooperative in the Philippines and the go-to organization for the protection needs of its cooperative members. 1CISP has been in operation for almost 45 years and has grown tremendously, having over 2,000 cooperative members and insuring around 900,000 individuals annually.

“It’s Showtime” Lands First International Franchise, Premieres In Indonesia ON March 25

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The country’s number one noontime show “It’s Showtime” is spreading good vibes to more viewers not just in the Philippines but across the world by landing its first international franchise in Indonesia.

Meet the official hosts of It’s Showtime Indonesia! (L-R) Leo Consul, Chika Jessica, Luna Maya, Raffi Ahmad and Indra Herlambang.

Starting Monday (March 25), Indonesian viewers will get to watch their own version of the program on the TV station MNCTV. The groundbreaking milestone also marks ABS-CBN’s first non-narrative format franchise buy, solidifying the company’s position as a reliable content provider in the international arena.

“It’s Showtime” hosts Jugs Jugueta and Teddy Corpuz will also be flying to Indonesia this weekend to observe and support the launch of the show on MNCTV. Jugs and Teddy are considered pioneers of “It’s Showtime,” having hosted it since 2009 when it was still airing in the morning timeslot.

It’s Showtime’s Jugs Jugueta and Teddy Corpuz

“From introducing XB Gensan, Rachel Gabreza, and international sensation TNT Boys to the world, ‘It’s Showtime’ and ABS-CBN are committed to discovering world-class talent and providing high-quality Filipino content and entertainment that would appeal to the global market. This a massive achievement and honor for the whole team as we celebrate the 10th anniversary of ‘It’s Showtime’ this year,” said Peter Dizon, business unit head of “It’s Showtime.”

“While are proud that ‘It’s Showtime’ will have its own version in Indonesia, it’s really about sharing the happiness with the viewers and extending the experience not just here in the Philippines but also in another country,” he added.

MNCTV’s version of “It’s Showtime” will carry popular segments that have brought happiness to many Filipinos, including “Sine Mo ‘To,” “Cash-Ya! Kaya!” ”Ansabe,” “Copy Cut,” and “Bida Kapamilya.”

As “It’s Showtime” continues its year-long countdown to its 10th anniversary in October, it has introduced new segments that draw viewers whether on TV or online, such as the compatibility game “KapareWho” and the search for the next leading man, “Bida Man.” Outstanding singers will once again pull out all the stops in the week-long Quarter 3 semifinals of “Tawag ng Tanghalan,” which kicks off on April 1.

“It’s Showtime,” meanwhile, remains as the most watched noontime show in the country, having recorded a national TV rating of 20.1%, almost double that of “Eat Bulaga’s” 10.4%, based on data from Kantar Media last Thursday (March 21).

Like the Philippine version of the show, Indonesia’s “It’s Showtime” also enlisted its the brightest stars, including singer-comedian-actor Raffi Ahmad, model-turned-actress Luna Maya, renowned host Indra Herlambang, host-actress Chika Jessica, Filipino TV host and recording artist Leo Consul, and rockstar twins Musbrother.

“It’s Showtime,” which continues its countdown to its tenth anniversary celebration, airs Mondays to Saturdays on ABS-CBN and ABS-CBN HD (Sky Cable ch 167). For the program’s past episode, login to iWant (iwant.ph) or on skyondemand.com.ph for Sky subscribers.

Limited Seats Added for LAUD in Manila

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Fast-rising synth-pop artist and producer Lauv, who recently sold out the Manila leg of his 2019 Asia Tour, has officially announced that due to insistent public demand, a new Upper Box section with limited seats will be added to his much anticipated live concert on May 20 at the Smart Araneta ColiseuColiseum. 

This will be Lauv’s third and biggest show in the Philippines to date, following a mall tour series back in 2017 and a music festival performance in 2018.

Produced by AEG Presents and Ovation Productions, general on-sale of the newly opened Upper Box section starts March 25, while few more tickets to the previously announced Cebu show on May 20 at Waterfront Hotel Cebu City are still available.

In January, Lauv surprised fans with the release of brand new single “i’m so tired” with Troye Sivan. The instant hit has now over 115 million streams on Spotify, soared up the Billboard Hot 100 Chart within a week of its release, and quickly rose to Top 13 on the UK Singles Chart, becoming Lauv’s first ever Top 15 single in the United Kingdom. Other top recent Lauv collaborations include Julia Michaels for “There’s No Way,” DJ Snake for “A Different Way,” and Travis Mills for “Question.”

This past summer, Lauv performed his breakthrough hit, “I Like Me Better,” on the Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon, as well as the 2018 Teen Choice Awards and 2018 MTV Video Music Awards. The single reached the Top 10 of Top 40 US radio, and top 10 airplay hits around the globe including Australia, Germany, New Zealand & more. A major highlight of 2018 was the launch of his compilation album, “I met you when I was 18.” Since its release, “I Like Me Better” has gained more than 653 million Spotify streams and skyrocketed to be a certified six times platinum single globally. The song has spent a total of 13 weeks at #1 on Billboard’s Emerging Artists Chart, and it has gone double platinum in the US, triple platinum in Australia, and platinum in other multiple markets. Lauv has now surpassed well over 2 billion cumulative streams worldwide as he continues to write and produce polished, power pop.

The 2019 Asia Tour even gets better as 4-time Juno Awards 2019 nominee and pop iconoclast bülow joins Lauv as special guest on his two major shows in the Philippines. The German-born singer just released her new track “Sweet Little Lies” via Republic Records, Wax Records, and Universal Music Canada. bülow has previously released Damaged Vol. 1 and Damaged Vol. 2 - each instantly resonated with critics and new fans alike. Damaged Vol. 1 included “Like This Guy,” “Lines,” and fan favorite “Not A Love Song,” which to date has clocked over 83 million streams.

Lauv’s 2019 Asia Tour live in Manila and Cebu is presented AEG Presents and Ovation Productions. Ticket price for the new section at the Smart Araneta Coliseum is P1,590 and will go on sale March 25, 2019 10am via www.ticketnet.com.ph and TicketNet outlets. Ticket prices for the Cebu show at Waterfront Hotel are P3,700/ 3,170/ 2,640/ 2,115/ 1,590/ 795 available via www.smtickets.com and all SM Tickets outlets. 

For more info, call (02)911-5555 / (02)470-2222 or follow Ovation Productions online.

#LAUVMNL2019 #LAUVCEBU2019 #OVATION40

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